Yanks in town yet?

[Butch 3,456]

A little bird told me Cobra gold finishes at the end of this week (the actual excercise) - thus we should see an influx of US Military guys soon.

 

Although (call me a racist - guilty as charged but somewhat hypocritical on my part as i'm married to a Pinay) I'd much rather rub shoulders with an American than an Arab or Indian - no offence intended, just personal preference, like white underwear instead of pink.

 

Anyone seen any difference on WS which is the area of choice for such individuals?. I do recall seeing the US Carrier group stationed off Sattahip a few years back. An impressive sight if ever there was one. Not so impressive was the poor FNG throwing up diced carrots and tomato skins over the stage in Happy A GoGo, egged on by his mates.

 

Cheers

Butch

[kosman 35]

I was kind of hoping to avoid that. How long is their leave until they depart?

[MM 6,562]

No sign of them that I have seen yet.

[nutosf 49]

They have had advance party here for a couple of days now. Mostly navy as they dropped off the marines who make up most of cobra gold. More will be in town towards the end of the month after they finish the exercise and get 3-4 days down time. In the past they have been a good group of guys just having fun. Very polite.

[BigDUSA 71]

I've been in Pattaya for a few Cobra Gold's. The guys and gals generally speaking have been well behaved.

[atlas2 4,329]

Agree with the positive assessment.

 

They've just practiced evacuating Japanese citizens from a site in Pattaya in a simulation of a humanitarian crises, so one of the local papers report.

 

 

(Put your own punchline here).

[Evil Penevil 7,628]

The military exercises of Cobra Gold run Feb. 11 through Feb. 21, so I imagine some Navy and Marine personnel will be visiting Pattaya on the weekend. Some logistic and security specialists have been in Pattaya for several weeks already. Early last January (edit in- January 2012), when I was checking into the @Mind Residence, a group of about 20 US military guys was also checking in. One of them told me they were part of the onshore support team for the port call of the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier group later in the month and would remain in Pattaya through the end of Cobra Gold 2012.

 

He asked me about pretty innocent stuff: hang-gliding; jet skiing; go-carting; miniature golf (!) and even visits to temples.

 

One night during mid-January last year, I met in FLB two sailors off the USS Abraham Lincoln. They knew nothing about Pattaya. They'd walked into FLB because they saw the sign advertising "Live Music," one said. MM and I stood them a few rounds, but they weren't interested in visiting go go bars, only music bars. They also wanted to buy some souvenirs.

 

Evil

Edited February 19, 2013 by Evil Penevil

[ttk 236]

The Navy will behave. Too many consequences if they mess up. I just hope they are properly briefed.

 

One trip here, the touts and doormen were running a scam and charging sailors "cover charges" to go in with he promise of first drink free or other discounts....which inside were not heard of. 100 baht or higher with groups adds up fast. A friend tried to help a group by telling them there is not such thing and was aked if he wanted to die.....

[kosman 35]

I am glad to hear the positive assessments. I have had negative experiences in other parts of the world with my former colleagues on group passes. Here is to looking forward to the guys having a good time. They do deserve it.

[Bushcraft 2,579]

Agree with the positive assessment.

 

They've just practiced evacuating Japanese citizens from a site in Pattaya in a simulation of a humanitarian crises, so one of the local papers report.

 

 

(Put your own punchline here).

 

Yet more slanted news coverage.

[CheshireTom 1,377]

The Navy will behave. Too many consequences if they mess up. I just hope they are properly briefed.

 

I think the briefings have been a bit better (and the guys better behaved) since the fallout from the Kitty Hawk "alleged incident".

[bigmick 840]

Agree with the positive assessment.

 

They've just practiced evacuating Japanese citizens from a site in Pattaya in a simulation of a humanitarian crises, so one of the local papers report.

 

 

(Put your own punchline here).

 

It was just a standard fire drill at one of the big hotels, no need to blow shit out of proportion

[js007 795]

Every year there's Cobra Gold, and every year there's a few guys who seem to be worried about the influx of sailors. And yet every time I've seen them out and about, it has been no big deal. A drop in the bucket, really, considering all the people in Pattaya. Buy them a drink, if you see any.

[tomcat76 327]

I think the briefings have been a bit better (and the guys better behaved) since the fallout from the Kitty Hawk "alleged incident".

 

Not just a matter of briefings. The navy has done a great deal to ensure that the prevention of incidents ashore is "baked in". Sailors who, despite all the "liberty plans", buddy systems, liberty limits, etc., etc., etc., STILL manage to get in trouble, pay a heavy price. Once designated a "liberty risk", a sailor simply doesn't get liberty for a portcall or two (and that's in addition to any formal disciplinary action). The navy well knows that it gets a huge black eye when bad things happen ashore, and makes sure EVERYONE feels the pressure... Some would probably tell you that the navy even goes a bit too far in this respect.

[papillon 695]

One of them told me they were part of the onshore support team for the port call of the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier group later in the month and would remain in Pattaya through the end of Cobra Gold 2012.

 

 

I hope you directed him to the nearest stall selling good quality counterfeit watches!

[bratpack 91]

Agree with the positive assessment.

 

They've just practiced evacuating Japanese citizens from a site in Pattaya in a simulation of a humanitarian crises, so one of the local papers report.

 

 

(Put your own punchline here).

 

cant they have a real one for the russians lol

[ttk 236]

 

 

Not just a matter of briefings. The navy has done a great deal to ensure that the prevention of incidents ashore is "baked in". Sailors who, despite all the "liberty plans", buddy systems, liberty limits, etc., etc., etc., STILL manage to get in trouble, pay a heavy price. Once designated a "liberty risk", a sailor simply doesn't get liberty for a portcall or two (and that's in addition to any formal disciplinary action). The navy well knows that it gets a huge black eye when bad things happen ashore, and makes sure EVERYONE feels the pressure... Some would probably tell you that the navy even goes a bit too far in this respect.

 

The briefings I was referring to was to ensure they know the ins and outs of the bars here. I.e. there is NO cover charge. If someone is charging, it is a ripoff.

 

Most sailors figure out the liberty system real fast and are well behaved and just looking to have a good time. It is usually the non military 20 something's running around with no shirt that start the trouble.

 

Most sailors are in before midnight anyway so no issues with the late discos.

[tomcat76 327]

The briefings I was referring to was to ensure they know the ins and outs of the bars here. I.e. there is NO cover charge. If someone is charging, it is a ripoff.

 

Most sailors figure out the liberty system real fast and are well behaved and just looking to have a good time. It is usually the non military 20 something's running around with no shirt that start the trouble.

 

Most sailors are in before midnight anyway so no issues with the late discos.

 

Gee, I must've missed THOSE briefings...

[acklam 49]

Who cares if the American forces from cobra cold are in Pattaya its already full of Russians.

The addition of few American teenagers isnt going to make any difference to your holiday.

 

In general they come in small numbers and are well disciplined. I think they are a credit to their country..

[nkped 1,208]

Gee, I must've missed THOSE briefings...

Those were the ones given by the CPOs on the ride into the ville.

[tomcat76 327]

Those were the ones given by the CPOs on the ride into the ville.

 

Yeap, exactly.

[trapperjohn 9]

A little bird told me Cobra gold finishes at the end of this week (the actual excercise) - thus we should see an influx of US Military guys soon.

 

Although (call me a racist - guilty as charged but somewhat hypocritical on my part as i'm married to a Pinay) I'd much rather rub shoulders with an American than an Arab or Indian - no offence intended, just personal preference, like white underwear instead of pink.

 

Anyone seen any difference on WS which is the area of choice for such individuals?. I do recall seeing the US Carrier group stationed off Sattahip a few years back. An impressive sight if ever there was one. Not so impressive was the poor FNG throwing up diced carrots and tomato skins over the stage in Happy A GoGo, egged on by his mates.

 

Cheers

Butch

Great Post and No your not a racist it is the reality of life,thats what is wrong in american now is all the Political correctness BS,it drives me up a wall.

[trapperjohn 9]

What a funny world that Pattaya is,I remember the cold war when American's and russian's hated each other now they share the same Thai women.

[tko 219]

What a funny world that Pattaya is,I remember the cold war when American's and russian's hated each other now they share the same Thai women.

 

Considering the language you speak, you were probably a citizen of a nation in the same Alliance with the US that stood against the Warsaw Pact. So did you hate the Russian's during the cold war? Guess what. Neither did Americans, but we opposed Soviet policies, expansion, etc.

Edited February 26, 2013 by tko

[Guest Fatboyfat]

Considering the language you speak, you were probably a citizen of a nation in the same Alliance with the US that stood against the Warsaw Pact. So did you hate the Russian's during the cold war? Guess what. Neither did Americans, but we opposed Soviet policies, expansion, etc.

I think you'll find that racist is American. The racist he was quoting is Brit.